The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) doing business as AmeriCorps, has submitted an emergency modification to a currently approved public information collection request (ICR) entitled Senior Corps Grant Application for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13, (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). The proposed modification will collect information regarding alternative service plans of AmeriCorps Senior grantees.
AmeriCorps Seniors provides grants to organization to engage Americans 55 years and older in volunteer service. AmeriCorps Seniors knows that due to the continued impact of COVID-19, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers may continue to be unable to serve. AmeriCorps Seniors FGP and SCP grantees have been authorized to continue to pay AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers who are unable to serve a temporary allowance through March 31, 2021. The temporary allowance may be discontinued following this date, following an OMB review of the situation. Information from the survey – detailing how many volunteers are still unable to serve and potential vaccine affect on volunteers’ ability to serve – will be useful in making a determination to extend the temporary allowance.
During COVID-19 grantees were to put in place a plan and structure – i.e. infrastructure, training, electronic equipment – that supports AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in FGP and SCP service in an alternative manner and complies with each programs’ statutory and regulatory requirements. OMB has requested information about service activities during COVID-19. Existing reporting mechanisms – grant applications, progress reports, financial reports - were not sufficient to get at this information.
Public harm is reasonably likely to occur if normal clearance procedures are followed and if the temporary pay allowance is not extended past March 31, 2021. The temporary pay allowance is crucial to helping preserve the volunteer workforce who are trained and experienced service providers and to minimize potential service disruptions. It is also vital to ensuring the continuity of service for these programs. AmeriCorps Seniors runs the risk that volunteers will leave, not return, and that grantees will cease from seeking to engage in national service. There is also the very real economic costs associated by senior volunteers – all of which are below 200% of the poverty line. For these seniors, their stipend is vital to getting their prescriptions, getting to doctor appointments, ensuring
payment of their utilities, etc. This is needed more than ever due to the exceptional circumstances of COVID-19.
The burden has increased because we will be asking the questions every two months through the end of September rather than just one time. This is the only change in this request for nonsubstantive change; the instrument and burden per response remains the same.
$15,609
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Amy Borgstrom 202 606-6930 aborgstrom@cns.gov
No
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Form 1 AmeriCorps Seniors Alternative Service Plan Reporting
Emergency Memo 3.10.21.pdf
SSA AmeriCorps Seniors Alt Service Plan.docx
AmeriCorps Seniors Alternative Service Plan Reporting